Another busy week has gone by, and Piper’s puppies are now seven weeks old. They’ve experienced many new firsts, such as discovering new toys, learning “puppy call,” and entering and exiting the house on their own. As they grow, they are becoming a little more independent.

Puppies’ Mealtime

Newborn puppies get all their nourishment from their mother’s milk. When Piper’s puppies were three weeks old, we started them on puppy formula in a dish because feeding twelve puppies can take its toll on a mama. Piper started weaning her puppies at this point too.

During weaning, the puppies gradually start eating solids. First, they eat a ground, watery puppy mush. Second, we soak kibble in hot water to make it soft and waterlogged. Lastly, the puppies transition to dry kibble. This week, the puppies have completed the transition to dry kibble.

Feeding time has become much simpler now. No more grinding puppy food to turn it into mush or waiting while the kibble is soaked in hot water. We just scoop the dry kibble into the dishes and watch the puppies eagerly eat their meals.

Piper will be returning to her guardian family next week, so to help with the weaning process, she wears a weaning suit. Piper isn’t as strict as some mamas who tell their puppies “no milk.” When she wears her suit, her puppies can’t nurse, but she can still spend time with them.

Our Door Exercise

We like to give the puppies outdoor exercise every day, weather permitting. This week, we experienced a variety of weather, from +7 degrees on Tuesday, a snowstorm on Wednesday, and heavy rain on Friday. So the puppies couldn’t go outside on Wednesday and Friday. But for the rest of the week, they enjoyed their outdoor exercise, where they loved chasing each other and playing on our outdoor toys.

Grandma Willow Teaching the Puppies

Willow was a strict mama with her puppies, and we are happy that she can help our mamas teach their puppies. When I let Willow into the puppy area, she taught them “no jumping” and to stay away. A couple of puppies didn’t listen at first, but they soon learned Grandma Willow means what she says.

Piper Teaching her Puppies

This week Piper was training her puppies a couple at a time teaching them submit.

Looking Ahead to Week Eight

Puppies will continue exploring and playing together inside and outdoors as weather permits
Piper along with our other dogs will continue teaching the puppies dog manners
Crate training with the door closed during nap time will begin
We will continue to encourage puppies to use the potty area
Puppies will visit the vet and have their first car ride
Puppies will continue to get lots of cuddle time